BRADENTON — During Tuesday's meeting, Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously to hire former Manatee School District General Counsel Pamela D'Agostino as the county attorney and give Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop a raise despite only being six months into his existing contract.
Chair Mike Rahn added a commissioner a vague item to the agenda that referenced Bishop's contract without noting that he would be seeking to increase the salary. Rahn said the change would bring Bishop's base salary to $229,000, which would bring it in line with what D'Agostino had negotiated.
Bishop had been earning $220,000, as per the contract he signed in September of last year, which already made him the highest-paid administrator in the county's history, despite having no previous experience in such a role.
Bishop was promoted to Manatee County Property Management Director in 2015 before being elevated to deputy county administrator in August of 2021. When the county parted ways with former county administrator Scott Hopes, Director of Community and Veterans Services, Lee Washington was selected as acting administrator while the county conducted a national search for Hopes' replacement.
Washington resigned after filing a whistleblower complaint alleging sunshine law violations by two board members, including Rahn. Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Bishop as acting administrator upon Washington's departure. By that point, commissioners had already narrowed down a field of applicants for the permanent position. However, after flying four finalists into town for interviews, the board made a last-moment pivot and scrapped the search in favor of making Bishop the permanent administrator.
In addition to his base salary, Bishop receives a number of fringe benefits, including the maximum allowable "deferred compensation" ($23,000 for 2024). This income remains untaxed until it is accessed, presumably when the earner is retired and in a lower tax bracket. The contract amendment also adds a $500 per month automobile allowance.
Click the video below to watch the portion of the meeting during which the item was briefly discussed.
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Debann
AND THE HITS KEEP ON COMING FROM THE CORRUPT BOCC...WORTHLESS..WELCOME TO CORRUPT MANATEE COUNTY..VOTE THE IDIOTS OUT
Thursday, March 21 Report this
sandy
Second raise in six months. He also got the COLA October 1 less than a month after being named administrator.
Friday, March 22 Report this
joni.corcoran
Kruse is the only commissioner who cares at all about how government should work.
Friday, March 22 Report this
san.gander
The "looting" of the taxpayer's purse continues... hire your "pals" pay them above the going rate.
Saturday, March 23 Report this
Debann
Good luck Pam...your gonna need it with this CORRUPT BOCC.....I HOPE IT'S WORTH IT.
Saturday, March 23 Report this